Radiation crosslinked dinorbornene polymers

ABSTRACT

Dinorbornene compounds, many of them novel, have been found to form polymers having a ladder structure. The dinorbornene compounds and dinorbornene polymers with other polymers such as the polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyethers, polyureas, polyurethanes, natural polymers, etc., are readily crosslinked by irradiation.

United States Patent Colomb, Jr. et al.

RADIATION CROSSLINKED DINORBORNENE POLYMERS V Inventors: HenryOctave Colomb, Jr.; David John Trecker, both' of South Charleston; Thomas Kemper Brotherton, Charleston,

all of W. Va.

Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation, New York,

Filed: Sept. 13, 1968 Appl. No.: 759,759

U.S. Cl. ..204/159.12, 117/124 E, 1 17/124 R, 117/132 BS, 117/132 C, 117/138.8 A, 117/148, 1l7/155,117/161UZ,ll7/161ZA, 204/159.l3, 204/l59.14, 204/l59.l5, 204/l59.l6, 204/159.17, 204/159.2, 260/5, 260/8, 260/17 A, 260/17 R, 260/17.4 CL, 260/17.4 GC, 260/29.7 NR, 260/29.7 DP, 260/29.7 UP, 260/30.8 DS, 260/32.6 A, 260/32.6 N, 260/32.6 R, 260/32.6 PQ, 260/32.8 R, 260/32.8 N, 260/32.8 SB, 260/32.8 A, 260/33.2 R, 260/33.2 SB, 260/33.4 R, 260/33.4 PQ, 260/33.4 SB, 260/33.4 UR, 260/33.6 PQ, 260/33.6 SB, 260/33.6 UB, 260/33.6 UA, 260/33.8 R, 260/33.8 SB, 260/33.8 UB, 260/33.8 UA, 260/455 A, 260/456 R, 260/463, 260/464, 260/468 B, 260/475 SC, 260/485 L, 260/546, 260/551 R, 260/553 R, 260/557 B, 260/563 R, 260/586, 260/607 A,

260/609 R, 260/61 1 B, 2601648 R, 260/666,

260/857 R, 260/857 L, 260/859 R, 260/861,

[51] Int. Cl. ..B0lj1/10, B0lj l/l2, C08d H00 [58] Field ofSearch ..260/666, 93.1; 204/159.2, 159.22, 204/159.15, 159.12

[56] References Cited UN lTED STATES PATENTS 3,458,550 7/1969 Rick et al ..260/93.l 3,326,992 6/1967 Miiller 3,140,275 7/1964 Spoonier ..204/159.22

Primary Examiner-Murray Tillman Assistant Examiner-Richard B. Turer Attorney-Paul A. Rose, Lpuis C. Smith and Francis M. Fazio [57] ABSTRACT Dinorbornene compounds, many of them novel, have been found to form polymers having a ladder structure. The dinorbornene compounds and dinorbornene polymers with other polymers such as the polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyesters, polyamides, poly'ethers, polyureas, polyurethanes, natural polymers, etc., are readily crosslinked by irradiation.

24 Claims, No Drawings v RADIATION CROSSLINKED DINORBORNENE POLYMERS This invention relates to dinorbornenes, polymers and copolymers thereof, and blends thereof with other polymer compositions. More particularly, it is concerned with certain novel dinorbornene compounds, the ladder" polymers thereof and to blends of the dinorbornenyl compounds with other polymers whereby a readily crosslinkable composition is obtained. As used in this specification, the term polymer encompasses the homopolymers and copolymers of two or more polymerizable monomers.

Many dinorbomenyl compounds have been disclosed in the prior art. In this regard, attention is directed to US. Pat. Nos. 3,187,015; 3,030,424; 2,908,712; 2,867,564; 2,421,597; German Pat. No. 945,391; Belgium Pat. No. 633,876; Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 62, l45l3g; Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 62, 145l4g; Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 55, 27225; J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 85, page 1155; and Chemistry and industry, London, 20 (1960). These references disclose procedures by which dinorbornenyl compounds can be produced and as is evident from the large number of publications available those skilled in the art can readily produce any desired dinorbornene compound by any one of the known procedures even though it may be a novel dinorbornene compound. It has now been found that the dinorbornene compounds can be polymerized to form so-called ladder polymers. It has also been found that the dinorbornene compounds can be blended with other polymers to obtain readily crosslinkable compositions, and that said compositions can be cured by irradiation.

Any of the general compounding methods for rubbers and plastics may be used to produce the blend of the dinorbomenyl compound with the polymer. Some examples of compounding methods are milling, kneading, masticating, mixerextruding, tumbling, blending, mulling and mixing. Other more specific methods may also be used to incorporate the dinorbornenyl compound into the polymer such as impregnation, coating, coprecipitation or codeposition from a common solvent and dissolution. All of these procedures are known to those skilled in the art.

Crosslinking of the blends is induced by radiation. Two types of radiation are suitable, ionizing radiation, either particulate or non-particulate, and nonionizing radiation. As a suitable source of particulate radiation, one can use any source which emits electrons or charged nuclei. Particle radiation can be generated from electron accelerators such as the Van de Graaff, resonance transformers, linear accelerators, insulating core transformers, radioactive elements such as cobalt 60, strontium 90, etc. As a suitable source of non-particle ionizing radiation, one can use any source which emits radiation in the range of from about Angstroms, to about 2,000 Angstroms, preferably from about 5X10 Angstroms to about 1 Angstrom. Suitable sources are vacuum ultraviolet lamps, such as xenon or krypton arcs, and radioactive elements such as cesium-137, strontium-90, and cobalt-60. The nuclear reactors are also known to be a useful source of radiation. As a suitable source of non-ionizing radiation, one can use any source which emits radiation of from about 2,000 Angstroms to about 8,000 Angstroms, preferably from about 2,500 Angstroms to about 4,500 Angstroms. Suitable sources are mercury arcs, carbon arcs, tungsten filament lamps, xenon arcs, krypton arcs, sunlamps, lasers, and the like. All of these devices and sources are well known in the art and those familiar with the technology are fully aware of the manner in which the radiation is generated and the precautions to be exercised in its use.

As is known, irradiation of a polymer with a Van de Graaff accelerator is generally completed in a matter of seconds, even at the highest megarad dosages used in the examples herein. This is to be compared to irradiation periods of hours when light from a mercury arc is the source of energy.

The ionizlNG radiation dosage necessary to effect cross linking will vary depending upon the particular polymer that is undergoing radiation, the extent of crosslinking desired, the number of crosslinkable sites available and the molecular weight of the starting polymer. The total dosage will be from about 10 rads to 10 rads, preferably from 5 X 10 rads to 10 rads. A rad is 100 ergs of ionizing energy absorbed per gram of material being irradiated.

The irradiation is carried out at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the crosslinkable blend undergoing treatment; generally it is from about 0C. to about 150C. Any temperature that does not permanently degrade the polymers can be used.

To prevent undesirable side reactions, an inert atmosphere is preferable present; however, this is not critical and the reaction can be carried out under ambient atmospheric conditions.

l R R R wherein n is 0 or I and R can be hydrogen; halogen; alkyl of from one to about eight carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl,

propyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, neopentyl,

isopentyl, hexyl, 2-methylpentyl, neohexyl, heptyl, octyl, 2- ethylhexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclopentyl, dimethylcyclopentyl and the like; alkenyl of from two to about eight carbon atoms, such as ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, butadienyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, the branched isomers thereof, and the like; aryl of from six to about 16 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, naphthyl, anthracyl, tolyl, xylyl, benzyl, phenethyl, biphenyl, napthal, methylnaphthyl, and the like. Preferably, not more than two of the R groups in the molecule are aryl groups. The symbols X, X and Y can be the same or different divalent groups and can be divalent alkylene of from one to about eight carbon atoms, such as methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, cyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, methylcyclopentylene, the branched isomers thereof, and the like; mono or poly unsaturated divalent alkenylene of from two to about eight carbon atoms, such as ethenylene, propenylene, butenylene, butadienylene, pentenylene, pentadienylene, hexenylene, hexadienylene, heptenylene, heptadienylene, octenylene, octadienylene, cyclopentenylene,

cyclohexenylene, the branched isomers thereof, and the like; divalent arylene of from six to about 16 carbon atoms, such as phenylene, naphthylene, anthracylene, tolylene, xylylene, biphenylene, methylnaphthylene, propylnaphthylene, and the like; divalent poly(oxyalkylene) having from 2 to about 5,000 oxyalkylene units in the chain wherein the oxyalkylene unit has from two to about four carbon atoms, such as oxyethylene, oxypropylene, 2-oxypropylene, oxybutylene, and the like; divalent poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy) having from 3 to about 5,000 alkylenecarbonyloxy unitsC ,H ,COO, in the chain wherein the alkylenecarbonyloxy unit has from three to about 12 carbon atoms, such as poly(caprolactone), poly(butyrolactone), poly(propiolactone), poly(valerolactone), and the like. The symbols G and G can be the same or different divalent groups and can be carbonyloxy wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl of one to about five car- H I BCHX o.,di 1 t bon atoms, n va en cycloalkyleno imin(N-), carbamyl(-NHC), carbamoyloxy(-NHCO) I4 .1

1 ll [BClI-XnOOC Y,.

, l ureylene(-NH|JNH), lmlnodlearbonyl(-?]lNH-(IJ), thio- I J 0 0 0 l carbamoyl(NH-;|C), thlocarbamoyloity(-NHfi-O), glycyl HT-Y m s n (NHCHi|3), xy( I A n Yn V s J2 oxy(-O), thio(S--), sulfoxy(-SO), sulfonyl(-SO I-L Q and sulfite( SO;,-). i 5 B II The following formulas are subgeneric to general formula I. J, In the subgeneric formulas'the term BCH represents the 0 bicycloheptenyl group H BCH-X,.NHC-.Y,I J7

I-N "'l H [B :H--X..-1-IH0-o-Yn J:

H 1 v [BCHXI.-NHCNHJ Yn 2 These subgeneric formulas do not encompass all the possi- I P ble subgenuses of formula I but only a few thereof. Also, only 5, one half of the structure is illustrated; thus, the X and G BCH-XDC-NH J Y groups can be the same as X and G to give the symmetrical 2 compounds, or different to give the unsymmetrical com- HQ 7 pounds. From this description one skilled in the art can readily Yn write other subgeneric formulas. J, I-A I I-R s [BCHXnGn-poly(a1ky1enecarbnnyloxy)O J1 nor1x,.-Nn0-0 D 1-13 [BCH-X.,-G,.J2 poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy) I 40 BcH-X.,NHcHc-cn BCIlX,.-G., I poly(alkyleiieoiry) J B CH-X,.Gn divalent alkylene The following table lists formulas of specific dinorbornene H38 compounds falling within the scope of the general formula. CHXn*GdiVa1m alkylene This tabulation of compounds is illustrative only and is not to 2 be considered a complete tabulation of all the suitable com- I pounds In the tabulation the norbornenyl or BCl-l bicyclo J, dmlem arylene structure is not portrayed; the table sets forth that portion represented by the X,,G,,Y,,--G',,--X',,- section of the H53 1 compounds of the formula NorbX,,G,,Y,,-G,,X'

t II 9 G dime arylene Norb, wherein Norb represents the substituted or unsubstituted norbornenyl moiety present in general formula I. ln "l 7 h f n b l h BCH Xn Gn dwalent alkenylem 55 t e o owing ta u ation t e units are connected in the order shown to the norbornenyl nuclei. The simplest compound is I G dinorbomene, wherein all of the ns are zero, this compound is divalent cycloalkenylem, not shown in the following tabulation but it is within the scope J1 of this invention.

-Xn- Gn Yn G' x -CH C:Ho C H CtHiu CH=CH -CHzC(CHz)=CH CH=CHCH=CH Also included, as indicated, are the compounds set forth above wherein the norbornenyl nucleus is substituted; illustraand the like. The important feature of the suitable compounds is that they contain two norbornenyl rings.

As mentioned previously, many dinorbornene compounds are known, as are the processes for their production; reference has been made to publications showing some of the known processes. Modifications thereof are readily known and ascertainable to the ordinary skilled organic chemist and such an individual will have no problem determining the manner by which any of the above-listed compounds can be produced, and the reactants necessary therefor. Thus, the Diels-Alder condensation of two moles of cyclopentadiene with ethylene glycol diacrylate will produce -norbornene-2- ylcarbonyloxyethyl S-norbornene-2-carboxylate. This compound can also be produced by the reaction of two moles of 5- chlorocarbonylbicyclo[.2. l ]hept-2-ene with ethylene glycol. The reaction of divinyl sulfone with two moles of cyclopentadiene yields bis(5-norbornen-2-yl)sulfone. The condensation of two moles of bicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-en-5-aldehyde in the presence of aluminum isopropoxide as catalyst yields 5- norbornen-Z-ylmethyl S-norbornene-2-carboxylate. Reaction of phosgene with 5-hydroxymethylbicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-ene yields bis(5-norbornen-2-ylmethyl)carbonate. The reaction of 5-chlorocarbonyl-bicycloZ.2. l ]hept-Z-ene with 1,4- dihydroxybenzene yields l,4-phenylene bis(5-norbornene-2- carboxylate); with 1,4-dihydroxy-methylbenzene the product is 1,4-xylylene bis(5-norbornene-Z-carboxylate; with 2,2- bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane the product is 2,2-bis(4-phenyl)propane bis(5-norbornene-Z-carboxylate; with 1,6-hexanediamine the product is l,6-hexamethylene-N,N-bis-(5- norbornene-Z-carboxamide); with p-phenylenediamine the product is l,4-phenylene-N,N '-bis( 5-norbornene-2-carboxamide); and with methylamine the product is N- methyliminodicarbonyl bis(5-norborn-2-ene). The reaction of 5-isocyanatomethylbicycloiIZl.ljhept-2-ene with ethylene glycol yields ethylene-l,2-bis[N-(5-norbornen-2-ylmethyl)carbamate]; with 1,6-hexanediamine the product is hexamethylene-l ,6-N,N -bis[ N-( 5-norbornen-2-ylmethyl)urea]; with water the product is N,N'-bis(S-norbornen-Z-ylmethyl)urea; and with 1,4-dihydroxybenzene the product is l,4phenylene-bis-[N-( 5-norbomen-2-ylmethyl)carbamate]. The reaction of 5-hydroxymethylbicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-ene with the diacid chloride of terephthalic acid yields di(5-norbornen-2-ylmethyl)terephthalate; with the diacid chloride of 1,4-hexanedioc acid the product is 'di(5-norbomen-2-ylmethyl)adipate; with 2,4-diisocyanatotoluene the product is bis( 5-no'rbornen-2-ylmethyl) N,N'-( 2-methyl-l ,4-phenylene)carbamate; with l,4-dichlorobenzene the product is phenylene-l,4-dioxybis(S-methyI-Z-norbomene); and with 1,6-dichlorohexane the product is hexamethylene-l,6-dioxybis(5-methyl-2-norbornene).

The dinorbornene compounds defined by general formula I can be polymerized, together with one or more different polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer. Polymerization can be achieved by employing conventional free radical initiators using known polymerization processes. Representative examples of free radical initiators are, among the peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, acetyl peroxide, diisopropoxy percarbonate, t-butyl peracetate, di-t-butyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and the like; and, among the azo compounds, azobis isobutyronitrile, azobis(cyclohexane), dimethyl azobis[isobutyrate], and the like. Polymerization temperatures are known to depend on the half-life of the peroxide or azo initiator and generally fall in the range of 50-200C., with the most useful temperatures being from about 80l 50C. These free radical initiated polymerizations occur across the double bond. In some instances, depending upon the conditions used, some crosslinking may occur.

In addition, the dinorbornene compounds can be polymerized alone or in the presence of photosensitizers known to those skilled in the art to catalyze the norbornene dimerization reaction to produce so-called ladder polymers, wherein a cyclobutane ring is formed between two molecules thereof. The ladder polymers are generally produced by light catalysis, i.e by exposure of the dinorbornene compounds to a light source whereby dimerization of the double bond in the bicycloheptenyl moiety occurs to form the cyclobutane moiety in the molecule:

In contrast to the free radical polymerization, these ladder polymers have not shown anyevidence of crosslinking.

The ladder polymers produced by the polymerization of the dinorbornene compounds contain units'represented by the general formula:

All of the dinorbornene polymers produced can be used to produce molded articles, films, insulation for wires, protective coatings, fibers, and for many other applications in which synthetic polymers are conventionally employed.

In addition, the fused dinorbornene compounds of the general formulas can also be used in this invention. These compounds can contain the same R substituents on the rings that were set forth in formula I, n is 0 or 1 and y is l or 2. Illustrative thereof one can mention tetracyclo[6.2.l.l 0 ]dodeca-4,9-diene 1,8,9, 1 0,1 l-hexachloro-tetracyclo[6.2. l l .0 ]dodeca- 4,9-diene, hexacyclo[l0.2.l.1 .l -.0 -".0 jheptadeca 6,13-diene, pentacyclo[8.2. l l .0 .()ltetradeca-S-l 1- diene, 3.9-dimethylpentacyclo[8.2. l. l .0 .0*-]tetradeca-5, l ldiene, octacyclo[l4,2,l ,l l .0 0 .0 .0-"]heneicosa-S, l 7-diene, and the like.

The dinorbornene compounds defined by the general formula and the polymers produced therefrom can be blended with other polymers to produce uniform blends that are cured by irradiation, as indicated above. The term polymer as used herein includes the homopolymers and copolymers with one or more copolymerizable monomer. The polymers blended with the dinorbomenes to produce the crosslinkable blends include the olefin polymers and copolymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisobutene, polybutene, poly(ethylene/propylene), poly(ethylene/butene), poly(ethylene/butadiene), poly(ethylene/norbornadiene), poly(ethyl-ene/propylene/norbornadiene),

poly(ethylene/propylenel-methylene-bicyclo[ 2.2. l ]hept-2-' ene), poly(ethylene/propylene/S-ethylidene-bicycl[ 2.2.1 lhept-2-ene), poly(ethylene/vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene/vinyl chloride), poly(ethylene/ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene/acrylonitrile), poly(ethylene/acrylic acid), poly(ethylene/styrene), poly(ethylene/vinyl ethyl ether), poly(ethylene/vinyl methyl ketone), and the like. The olefin polymers are well known and any such polymer can be used to produce the crosslinkable blend. Also suitable are the vinyl andvinylidene polymers such as poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl bromide), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl methyl ether), poly(vinyl butyl ether), poly(vinyl methyl ketone), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(allyl alcohol), polyindene, poly(vinylpyridine), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), and

the like. Further, suitable are the acrylic polymers such as They also find utility as insulation materials and cable coatings thus enabling the manufacturer to apply the insulation without,

difficulty and subsequently irradiate it to a tough durable.

product. The use of these compositions offers many technical and processing advantages, for example, milder conditions for curing, the addition of the crosslinking dinorbornene compounds by a simple mixing process, ease of control of the curing process by merely controlling the type of irradiation and the duration of the radiation period, the absence of catalyst contaminants, and the like.

The following examples further serve to illustrate the invention. The examples are divided'into three Sections; Section A relates to the dinorbornene compounds per se, Section B relates to the polymers thereof, and Section C relates to blends of the dinorbornene compounds with other polymers.

SECTION A Example 1 A mixture was prepared containing 14.9 grams of 5-isocyanatomethylbicyclo[2.2. l ]hept-2-ene, 100 grams of a polycaprolactone diol having an average molecular weight of about 2,000 (produced according to US Pat. No. 3,169,945) and one drop of dibutyltin dilaurate. The mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere at about 90C. for about 5 hours and then allowed to cool. The carbamate produced was a waxy solid having a reduced viscosity at C. of 0.l3 when measured from a 0.5 per cent solution in chloroform. The structure of the carbamate was confirmed by infrared analysis as:

Also suitable are the polyureas and polyurethanes, as well as the natural and modified natural polymers such as gutta percha, cellulose, methyl cellulose, starch, silk, wool, and the like, and the siloxane polymers and copolymers. One can use a single polymer in the blend with the dinorbornenyl compound or two or more polymers. In producing a blend using two or more polymers with the dinorbornene compound, the concentration of each polymer in the final blend is not critical and can be varied at the will of the individual from 0.01 to 99.99 parts of a first polymer with one or more other polymers.

ln producing the blends, the concentration of the dinorbornene compound therein can vary from about 0.01 to about 80 weight percent of the total blend; it is preferably from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent. The difference consists of the polymer plus modifiers and fillers, if the latter are present. If desired, an inert solvent can be used to facilitate blending. Suitable solvents will depend upon the particular polymers and dinorbornene compounds involved. Included are water, methanol, ethanol, butanol, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, hexane, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, diethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoand di-ethyl ethers,

wherein the total number of 111 groups present is an average of about 16.6. Microanalytical data further confirmed that the carbamate was produced.

Microanalysis: Calc. for C ,,Hm an.z Found:

' room temperature for 48 hours to produce the carbamate of diethylene glycol monoand di-methyl ethers, acetone, methyl I ethyl ketone, and the like. The concentration of the solvent is not critical since its sole function is as a mixing aid. Latices can also be produced.

A photosensitizer can be added to increase the rate of crosslinking when one uses a source of non-ionizing radiation, if one wishes to do so. This is optional and any of the known photosensitizers can be used, such as acetophenone, benzophenone, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, benzald'ehyde, benzene, p-dichlorobenzene, benzoic acid, pyrazine, benzoin, triphenylene, benzil, biacetyl, Michlers ketone, quinoline, Z-acetonaphthone, l-naphthaldehyde, xanthone, and the like. The concentration of the photosensitizer can vary from about 0.01 mole percent or less to about 2 mole percent or more based on the dinorbornenyl compound present. Preferred concentrations are from about 0.1 mole percent to about 1 mole percent.

The blendscan be applied as finishes on wood, paper, glass, plastics, metals, fibers fabrics, and other materials and then cured. These blends can be used as coatings or impregnants.

the formula:

L JQIEIY.) I in The carbamate was a viscous, clear liquid having a reduced viscosity at 30C. of 0.05 when measured from a 0.5 percent solution in chloroform. Microanalytical data further confirmed that the carbamate was produced.

Microanalysis: Calc. for C H O N C, 60.8; H, 8.4; N, 4.0 Found: C, 60.8; H, .6; N, 4.0 Example 3 I To a mixture of 19.8 grams of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200 and one drop of dibu- CONHCHzmate of the formula:

CONHCHz- CONHCHg- Example 6 in a manner similar to that described in Example 3, 49.6 grams of polypropylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 1,000 and 15 .7 grams of 5-isocyanatomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene were reacted to produce a clear, viscous liquid carbamate of the formula:

Example 7 A solution was prepared containing 47.3 grams of 1,6-hexanediol, 65 grams of pyridine and 500 ml. of diethyl ether. To the above-solution there was added in a dropwise manner at a temperature of 25 to 30C. a solution of 125.3 grams of 5- chloroformylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene in 100 ml. of diethyl ether. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then filtered to remove the precipitated pyridine hydrochloride. The filtrate was washed four times with water. The washed organic solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and fractionally distilled to remove the ether. The diester produced weighed 122.3 grams; its structure was confirmed by infrared analysis and microanalysis as having the formula:

COOCHz OC- A Microanalysis: Calc. for C .,H,,,,O,: C, 73.7; H, 8.4 Found: C, 73.4; H 8.7

Example 8 A solution of 47.3 grams of 1,6-hexanediol, 122.2 grams of -isocyanatomethylbicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-ene and 350 ml. of toluene was refluxed overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath and the crystals filtered. The crystals were washed with fresh toluene and dried at 55C. under vacuum. The white crystals weighed 142.8 grams and melted at 86C. to 87C. The carbamates structure was confirmed by infrared analysis and corresponded to the formula:

CH2NHCOO CHg OOCNHCHz Example 9 A solution of 29.1 grams of 1,6hexamethylenediamine in 200 ml. of toluene was added all at once to a solution of 74.6 grams of Sisocyanatomethylbicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-ene .in 300 m1. of toluene and the resulting mixture was stirred at high speed for 30 minutes. After the stirring was stopped, two liquid layers immediately formed. On standing at room temperature the bottom layer crystallized after several hours. The crystals were recovered by filtration, washed with toluene and dried under vacuum at 55C. The urea weighed 90.5 grams and melted at 109C. to l 1 1C. The urea's structure was confirmed by infrared and corresponded to the fonnula:

Example 10 A solution of 46.5 grams of 1,6-hexamethylenediame, 53 grams of sodium carbonate and 200 ml. of water was prepared. Five hundred ml. of toluene were added and the two phase mixture was cooled to 2C. and stirred. A solution of 130 grams of 5-chloro-formylbicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-ene in 100 ml. of toluene was added to cold mixture in one portion with rapid stirring. A white precipitate formed instantaneously and it was filtered, washed with water and dried at 55C. under vacuum. The amide weighed 68 grams and melted at 15C. to 151C. The amides structure was confirmed by infrared analysis and microanalysis and corresponds to the formula:

A Microanalysis: Calc. for C H O N z C, 74.1; H 9.0; N, 7.9 Found: C, 74.1; H, 9. N, 7.9

Example 1 l A solution of 203 grams of terephthaloyl chloride in 800 ml. of acrylonitrile was prepared in a reaction flask equipped with a stirrer, condenser, dropping funnel and thermometer. A solution of 280 grams of 5-hydroxymethylbicyclo[2.2. l ]hept- 2-ene in 200 ml. of acrylonitrile was slowly added at 25C. to 30C. over a period of about 40 minutes and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for another 3.5 hours. The solvent was removed by vacuum distillation and the residue was heated at C. at about mm. pressure to remove remaining traces of volatile materials. On cooling the ester solidified. The crude di(bicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2ylmethyl)terephthalate was purified by solution in acetone and reprecipitation by the slow addition of water with vigorous stirring until the cloud point was reached. Continued stirring produced a copious white precipitate that was filtered and dried. The ester melted at 98C. to 99C; the structure was confirmed by infrared analysis and microanalysis and corresponds to the formula:

Microanalysis:

A solution of 100 grams of a poly-epsilon-caprolactone diol having an average molecular weight of about 10,000 in 300 ml. of benzene was prepared in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, condenser and thermometer. The solution was heated under nitrogen and 50 ml. was distilled to remove traces of water. After cooling to 70C. and adding two drops of dibutyltin dilaurate, 3.14 grams of 5-isocyanatomethylbicyclo[2.2.l]hept-2-ene were added. The solution was stirred at 70C for /2 hour and cooled to room temperature and allowed to stand for 72 hours under the nitrogen atmosphere. The volatiles were distilled at 100C. at 5 mm. of mercury and the carbamate was recovered as a white, waxy solid weighing 103.4 grams. The structure was confirmed by infrared analysis as:

SECTION B Example l3 A solution of 9 grams of pentacyclo[8.2.l.l*' .0 .0 tetradeca-5,l l-diene and 19 grams of acetophenone, as the photosensitizer, was placed in a Pyrex tube, degassed and sealed. The tube was irradiated with ultraviolet light using a l40 watt mercury are at a distance of 10 cm. for a period of 20 days. The temperature ranged from 40 to 45C. A solid white polymer was produced that was filtered, washed with acetone and dried. The polymer had a reduced viscosity of 0.01 at 30C. when measured from a 0.1 percent solution in chloroform. A film was produced from the polymer whose structural formula is:

W i OJ: Example l4 Bicyclo[2.2. 1 )hept-Z-en-S-ylmethyl bicyclo[2.2. l ]hept-2- en-S-carboxylate was prepared by the reaction of equimolar amounts of cyclopentadiene with acrolein to produce bicyclo[2.2. l ]-hept-2-en-5-aldehyde followed by the Tischenko condensation thereof to the carboxylate. A solution of 6.5 grams of the carboxylate and 0.356 grams of acetophenone was prepared and irradiated for 309 hours at about 40C. in a manner similar to that described in Example 13. The viscous reaction product was dissolved in 200 ml. of acetone and precipitated with methanol. The precipitate was filtered, redissolved in acetone and reprecipitated with methanol. The white polymer had a reduced viscosity of 0.03 at 30C. when measured from a 0.2 percent solution in chloroform. An ebulliscopic molecular weight determination in chloroform indicated a molecular weight of about 2,120 il00. A film was produced from the polymer whose structure was confirmed by infrared analysis as being:

-I and 1 gram of acctophenone in 20 ml. of benzene was also prepared.

The two solutions, in separate sealed tubes, were irradiated for 161 hours at about 47C. in a manner similar to that described in Example 1 3. The contents of Tube A completely gelled whereas the contents of Tube B showed no detectable change. The tubes were opened and distilled overnight under vacuum on a steam bath to remove the benzene solvent.

The polymer recovered from Tube A was a waxy solidjthat had a reduced viscosity of 0. l 67 at 30C. when measured from 0.2 percent solution in benzene. A film was produced from the polymer, whose structure was confirmed by infrared analysis as being repeating units of the formula:

Some crosslinking had occurred and the terminal bicyclo groups had ring unsaturation.

The contents of Tube B after irradiation was unreacted polycaprolactone diol. The reduced viscosity was 0.094 as compared to 0.097 prior to irradiation. Viscosity was determined at 30C. using a 0.2 percent solution in benzene. Thisexperiment shows that the dinorbornene compounds polymerize whereas the polycaprolactone diol does not. Example 16 A mixture was prepared containing 29.7 grams of the carbamate of Example 2 and 1 gram of acetophenone. The mixture was irradiated for 269 hours at about 40C. in a manner similar to that described in Example 113. The reaction product was dissolved in 100 ml. of benzene and 30 ml. of cyclohexane were added; two layers developed. The oil layer was separated and stripped on a rotary evaporator at C. and 10.1 mm. pressure for 2 hours to remove volatiles. The clear, viscous residue had a reduced viscosity of 0.10 when measured from a 0.5 percent solution in chloroform. Infrared analysis showed the presence of ladder polymer units of the formula:

The terminal bicycloheptene units had ring unsaturation.

SECTION C Example 17 A high molecular weight polycaprolactone, having a reduced viscosity of 2.05 when measured at 25C. using a 0.2 percent solution in benzene, was milled with 5 percent by weight of pentacyclo(8.2. l l .0 .0"')tetradeca-5,l l-diene until a uniform blend was obtained. No gross changes in the mechanical properties of the polycaprolactone were noted. A plaque having a diameter of 5 inches and a thickness of 20 mils was prepared. For control purposes a similar plaque was prepared from the same polycaprolactone. The two plaques were irradiated at 40C. with a watt medium pressure ultraviolet mercury arc lamp. At intervals sections were removed to observe the effect of the irradiation treatment. lnitially, the ultraviolet irradiation caused a rapid decrease in the original molecular weight in both plaques; with 2 hours viscosity measurements indicated that the average molecular weight was only about one fourth of the original average value. However, as the irradiation continued the molecular weight of the plaque produced from the blend increased and after 20 hours of irradiation a maximum was reached. The resulting polymer was tough and flexible. The control plaque produced from the unmodified polycaprolactone continued to degrade and after 20 hours of irradiation the polymer was weak and brittle. The results show that the presence of the CH NHCOO I:(CH2) s OO CH2CH2OCHCH2CH2 dinorbornene compound reversed the effect of ultraviolet radiation on polycaprolactone from that of predominantly degradation to that of predominantly crosslinking.

Example 18 A uniform blend was prepared by milling polyethylene hav- 4 Pla no I Pla ue II Pl IV mg a density of 0.96 gram per cubic centimeter and a melt q q aque index of 0.5 decigram per minute with 5 weight percent of I g: g 4 8 4 8 pentacyclo(8.2.l-d.0 .0 )tetradeca-5,l ldiene as the dinor- T882 )l 61,000 56,300 61,700 68,300 48.600 bornene compound. A 5 inch plaque, about 22 mils thick, was 5 27480 2350 2 560 2, 530 5,240 molded from the blend (Plaque I). gg gei fi ggggg 126 93 135 55 mo A second plaque was prepared from a blend containing y lg gm 1 l flvil' 2 3,23 3,240 3,340 3,310 2,000 weight percent of the same dinorbomene compound (Plaque Insoluble, percent n w 6 66 8 n 6 76. 5 0 II). Melt index, dgmJmin.

A third plaque was prepared from the unmodified l 0-123 0 0 0 Polyethylene (Plaque In) dmorbomene compound Blends of polycaprolactone diols and poly(vinyl chloride) present.

The plaques were irradiated under nitrogen by l mev. electrons from a Van de Graaff accelerator and the amount of irradiation necessary for effective crosslinking was determined are known to stiffen with time, known as the aging effect, particularly at concentrations of about 30 weight percent or more 5 of the polycaprolactone in the blend. This is a decided disadvantage since polycaprolactone is an excellent plasticizer for by determmfnpn amount of mscfluble Polymer: The poly(vinyl chloride). Until the present many unsuccessful atamount of insolubilization was determined by refluxing a tempts have been made to arrest the aging effect of Such weighed portion of the irradiated plaque for 4 hours in ethylblends benzene under nitrogen, draining and again extracting with Example 20 refluxing ethylbenzene for V2 hour, drying at in a A uniform blend was prepared with 24 grams of polycapro- Vacuum Oven Overnight, and reweighing to determine the lactone diol having a reduced viscosity at 25C. of 1.48 when amount of insoluble crosslinked polymer remaining. It was measured f a ()2 percent l i i benzene d 6 grams found that the dinorbornenyl compound enhanced the crossf h din b n om ou d of Exam le 1 by ble din on a linking reaction to the extent that gelation occurred in the 25 heated two-roll mill. This blend contained 20 percent by blends after irradiation with from about 1.5 to 2 megarad; weight of the dinorbomene compound and was used as the whereas, gelation occurred in the unmodified polyethylene masterbatch to prepare the following blends with poly(vinyl only after irradiation with more than 3 megarads. The amount chloride).

of insolubilization achieved at various radiation dosages is A uniform blend was produced by blending 60 parts by tabulated below. Eventually, at about 20 megarads, all of the weight of poly(vinyl chloride) having a reduced viscosity at plaques exhibit an insolubles of about 80 percent. However, 30C. of about 0.98, measured from a 0.2 percent solution in the rapid crosslinking achieved by the blend at lower dosages cyclohexane, with 40 parts by weight of the above-prepared was completely unobvious and unexpected. masterbatch. The blend also contained 1.5 parts by weight of barium-cadmium laurate as heat stabilizer. Several plaques were pressed from the blend, each 5.25 inches in diameter and 25 mils thick (Plaques Series I). Percent Insoluble One of the plaques was retained for control purposes and D se megarads Plaque I Plaque n Plaque "I the other plaques were irradiated under nitrogen with one mev electrons from a Van de Graaf accelerator at different 2.0 l6 l3 0 40 dosages. The stiffness modulus on all of the plaques was then 33 36 determined over a total period of 88 days after irradiation. l The irradiation dosages used and results obtained are tabul0.0 74 73 61 lated below:

SERIES I PLAQUES Control a. b c 11 Example 19 Irradiation dosage, mrads 0 0.22 0.43 2.2 4.3 A uniform blend was prepared by milling poly epsilon stiffness modmusypis ilamr caprolactone having a reduced viscosity of 2.05 dl/g, meadays;

sured at 30C. in a 0.2 percent solution of the polymer in benzene, with 5 percent by weight of the dinorbornene compound produced in Example 1. A portion of the blend was compression molded into a 5 inch diameter plaque having a thickness of 20 mils (Plaque I).

A second plaque was prepared from a uniform blend of the (1) (i) 2 (2 same poly-epsilon-caprolactone with 5 weight percent of 1 Clear. bicyclo-[2.2. l ]]hept-2-en-5-ylmethyl bicyclo[2.2. l ]hept-2- 2 Light brown. en-S-carboxylate (Plaque II). A second blend was produced by uniformly blending A third plaque was prepared from a uniform blend of the parts of the poly(vinyl chloride) with 45 parts of the mastersame poly-epsilon-caprolactone with 20 weight percent of the batch and plaques were pressed from this second blend dinorbornene compound of Example I (Plaque III). (Plaques Series II).

A fourth plaque was prepared from the unmodified poly-ep- The plaques of Series II were irradiated and tested by the Silon-camolactone f control d comparison purposes, same procedures used for the plaques of Series I. The results (Plaque IV). It is known that high energy electrons do not afare tabulated below; fect poly-epsilon-caprolactone and will not crosslink the un- SERIES 11 PLAQUES modified polymer at the doses used below. Control a b c d Two portions of each of Plaques I and II were cut and ir- Irradiation dosugemmds n O 0.22 0.43 2.2 4.3 radiated under nitrogen with l mev electrons from a Van de Stifiness modulus, .s.i. after- Graaff accelerator. One portion of each was treated with 4 megarads and the other portion with 8 megarads. The percent 4:1

insoluble in benzene at 60C. and other properties were determined and compared with the properties of the control, 24::

Plaque IV. It was found that crosslinking readily occurred as shown by a drop in melt index and increase in stiffness and 88..

yield stress; the tensile and elongation decreased. The results Color are summarized below: I Clear.

2 Light brown.

A third blend was produced by uniformly blending 50 parts of the poly(vinyl chloride) with 50 parts of the masterbatch and plaques were pressed from this third blend (Plaques Series III). These blends generally stiffen quite rapidly and one can usually feel the change in stiffness by hand flexing a sample that has aged overnight at room temperature.

SERIES III PLAQUES 1 Clear.

2 Light brown.

The lower stiffness modulus values of the irradiated blends is an indication that the aging effect does not occur to the extent that it does in the blends that have not been irradiated. It was not obvious that this improvement could be achieved by this method.

Example 21 A uniform blend was produced by roll milling 6 grams of the same-polyvinyl chloride used in Example 20, 4 grams of the dinorbornene compound of Example 1 and 0.09 gram of a barium-cadmium laurate stabilizer. Plaques, 5 inches in diameter and 0.02 inch thick, were molded at 140C. and 1,000psi pressure from the blend. Portions of the plaques were irradiated under nitrogen by l mev electrons from a Van de Graaff accelerator. The extent of crosslinking was determined by extracting with ethylene dichloride at 60C. for 4 days, removing the solvent, and extracting for another 2 days at 60C. The residue was dried and the percent insoluble calculated. The results are tabulated below:

irradiation lnsolubles, dose, mrad 7:

f st-99. OOOMN- At these dosages poly( vinyl chloride) is known not to crosslink and gel. Example 22 Uniform blends were produced by blending 100 parts of polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 600,000 with parts of the dinorbornene compounds specified below. The blends were molded into plaques, each 5 inches in diameter and from 0.01 to 0.015 inch thick; a control plaque of the unmodified polyethylene oxide was also produced. The plaques prepared from the blends were exposed to a l00 watt medium pressure mercury arc lamp at a distance of 4 inches for 25 hours on each side. The extent of crosslinking was determined as described in Example 21, using acetonitrile as the extraction solvent.

The unmodified polyethylene oxide control sample had a l 3.75 percent insolubles content.

The blend with 5 parts per hundred of the dinorbornene compound of the formula:

had a 56.4 percent insolubles content after irradiation.

The blend with 5 parts per hundred of bicyclo[2.2.l ]hept-2- cn-5 -ylmethyl bicyclo[2.2.l ]hept-Z-en-Scarboxylate had a 68.8 percent insolubles content after irradiation.

The blend with 5 parts per hundred of the dinorbornene compound of the formula:

had a 47.6 percent insolubles content after irradiation.

Example 23 A solution was prepared containing 0.4 gram of a nonionic surfactant (the 9 mole adduct of ethylene oxide to 1 mole equivalent of a mixture of C to C linear alcohols) 40 grams of bicyclo[2.2. l ]hept-Z-en-S-ylmethyl bicyclo[2.2. l ]hept-2- en-S-carboxylate and 360 grams of acetone. A printed cotton fabric was padded with the solution and passed through a wringer to ensure a 6 weight percent pick up of the bicycloheptene compound. The treated fabric was dried at F. for 5 minutes and then irradiated with 2 mev electrons from a Van de Graaff accelerator to impart a total dose of 2 megarads. The irradiated fabric was washed, tumble-dried and subjected to the known standard Monsanto Dry Crease Recovery Test. The treated cellulosic cotton fabric had a crease recovery of 197 compared to for the untreated cotton fabric, which is considered a decided improvement. This experiment illustrates that the dinorbornene compounds, the polymers thereof, and blends of both with other polymers can be used to improve the crease resistance of fabrics. It also shows that cellulose, a natural polymer, can be crosslinked therewith.

in a similar manner a series of crosslinkable blends are produced by blending 100 parts of the following polymers with 5 parts of the indicated dinorbornene compound.

Polymer Polypropylene @CII2 Poly(ethylene/norlmruadienc) Poly(ethylene/propylene/S- ethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]- hept-Z-ene).

Poly(ethylenelacrylic acid) Dgnorbornene carbamate of Example Dinorbornene compound Dinorhornene earbamate of Example Poly(ethylene/vinyl acetate) Dinorbornene diester of Example 7. Poly(ethylene/ethyl aerylate)... Dinorbornene diester of Example 11.

Poly(ethylene glycol terephthalate).

Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide Polymer of Example 14.

2%36161; of glycerol-M.Wea.

Polyurethane Methyl cellulose Polymer of Example 16. Dinorbornene amide of Example 10.

Similarly blends are produced using 10, 20, 30 or 50 parts of the dinorbornene compound for each 100 parts of polymer.

What is claimed is:

l. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition of from about 0.01 to about 80 weight percent of a dinorbornene from the group of the formulas:

wherein n is or 1 y is 1 or 2; R is a member of the group of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of from one to about 8 carbon atoms, Q alkenyl of from two to about eight carbon atoms and aryl of from six to about 16 carbon atoms; X, X and Y each represent a member of the group of a divalent alkylene of from one to about eight carbon atoms, divalent alkenylene of from two to about eight carbon atoms, divalent arylene of from six to about 16 carbon atoms, divalent poly(oxyalkylene) having from two to about 5,000 oxyalkylene units in the chain wherein the oxyalltylene unit has from two to about four carbon atoms; divalent poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy) having from 5 to about 5,000 alkylenecarbonyloxy units in the chain wherein the alkylene-carbonyloxy unit has from three to about 12 carbon atoms; G and G each represent a member of the group of a divalent radical from the group of carbonyloxy, oxycarbonyl, oxydicarbonyl, carbonyl, carbonate, amido, imino, carbamyl, carbamoyloxy, ureylene, iminodicarbonyl, thiocarbamyl, thiocarbamoyloxy, glycyl, oxy, thio, sulfoxy, sulfonyl and sulfite; and from about 20 to about 99.99 weight percent of a different polymer of the group olefin polymers, vinyl polymers, vinylidene polymers, acrylic polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas, polyurethanes, natural and modified natural polymers and siloxane polymers.

2. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the concentration of the dinorbornene compound is from 0.1 to about 10 weight percent.

3. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is pentacyclo( 8.2.1 l" .0-")tetradeca-5,l l-diene.

4. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone.

5. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the polymer is polyethylene.

6. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim I wherein the dinorbornene compound is l r-OO C(CHz), O0 CNHCHz- L m wherein in is a positive integer 7. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as 7 claimed in claim 6 wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone.

8. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 6 wherein the polymer is a mixture of poly- (vinyl chloride) and polycaprolactone.

9. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is bicyclo-[2.2.l lhept-2-en-5-ylmethyl bicyclo[ 2.2. l ]hept-2-en- S-carboxylate.

10. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone.

11. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is polyethylene oxide.

12. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is cellulose.

13. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is 14. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: I

- wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

17. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula:

. [BCHX,,--G] poly(alkyleneoxy) wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

18. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: [BCHX,,-G] divalent alkylene wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

19. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: [BCHX,,-G] divalent arylene wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

20. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: [BCHX,,G,,-poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy)alkylenehO wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

21. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: [BCHX,,G,,] poly( alkylenecarbonyloxy) wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

22. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: [BCHX,,-G,,] poly(alkyleneoxy) wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

23. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: [BCH-X,,G] divalent alkylene wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

24. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: [BCH-X,,-G] divalent arylene wherein BCH is the bicyloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim 1.

PO-105O (5/69) v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. q 55f 66q Anril Z5 12lL Inventor-(s) H CLI Colomb et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

if "w The fourth formula down the center of the page containing columns 7 and 8 should be read with the subscripts p and q; as so corrected it would read:

-(C H C0O)-1; faggot Signed and sealed this 29th day of August 1972.

SEAL) Atbest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attest'lng Officer Commissioner of Patents 

2. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the concentration of the dinorbornene compound is from 0.1 to about 10 weight percent.
 3. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is pentacyclo(8.2.1.14, 7.02,9.03,8)tetradeca-5,11-diene.
 4. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone.
 5. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the polymer is polyethylene.
 6. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is
 7. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 6 wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone.
 8. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 6 wherein the polymer is a mixture of poly-(vinyl chloride) and polycaprolactone.
 9. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is bicyclo-(2.2.1)hept-2-en-5-ylmethyl bicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-en-5-carboxylate.
 10. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone.
 11. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is polyethylene oxide.
 12. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is cellulose.
 13. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene compound is
 14. A radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 13 wherein the polymer is polyethylene oxide.
 15. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-Gn-poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy)alkylene)2O wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 16. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-XnG)2poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 17. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-G)2poly(alkyleneoxy) wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 18. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-G)2 divalent alkylene wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 19. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-G)2 divalent arylene wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 20. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-Gn-poly(alkylenecarbonyloxy)alkylene(2O wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 21. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-Gn)2poly(alkylEnecarbonyloxy) wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 22. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-Gn)2poly(alkyleneoxy) wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 23. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-G)2 divalent alkylene wherein BCH is the bicycloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 24. The radiation crosslinked polymeric composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dinorbornene has the formula: (BCH-Xn-G)2 divalent arylene wherein BCH is the bicyloheptenyl group, and the other variables are as defined in claim
 1. 